CityUHK leaps to 52nd globally in QS World University Rankings 2027, surging 11 places; Shines as World No. 2 for Citations per Faculty second only to Harvard, affirming its world-class research strength
18 Jun 2026
City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) has achieved outstanding results in the newly released Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2027. Rising an impressive 11 places from last year, CityUHK is now ranked 52nd globally among more than 1,500 ranked institutions, placing it firmly within the top 3% of the world's elite universities.
CityUHK is the only university in Hong Kong to rank among the global top three in the core indicator of Citations per Faculty. CityUHK has once again excelled, securing 2nd place globally and 1st in both Asia and Hong Kong for the second consecutive year. Trailing only Harvard University and outperforming top-tier institutions, this stellar performance underscores CityUHK’s exceptional contributions to international scientific research and academic impact.
Mr Ben Sowter , QS Senior Vice President, highlighted CityUHK’s outstanding performance in research citations, stating, "Hong Kong’s higher education sector is reinforcing its position as one of Asia’s most globally competitive and research-intensive systems. Research performance remains a major differentiator, with City University of Hong Kong ranking second globally for Citations per Faculty and Hong Kong universities significantly outperforming global averages for international faculty and student representation."
In this year's rankings, CityUHK excelled across multiple assessment indicators, retaining its top spot in Hong Kong for four indicators and standing out as the sole university in Hong Kong to have three indicators ranked in the global top 20, showcasing its leading position in academic research and internationalisation:
| Indicator | Rank in Hong Kong | Rank in the world |
|---|---|---|
| Citations per Faculty | 1 | 2 |
| International Student Ratio | 1 | 11 |
| International Faculty Ratio | 1 | 16 |
| Faculty Student Ratio | 1 | 84 |
Professor Chun-Sing Lee, Acting President of CityUHK, was deeply encouraged by the results.
"This significant leap validates CityUHK’s core strengths in teaching, research, and innovation, particularly in maintaining our 2nd place ranking worldwide and 1st in Asia for Citations per Faculty,” said Professor Lee. “This underscores our world-class academic impact."
"It also highlights our success in supporting the HKSAR Government’s 'Study in Hong Kong' initiative and our strategic direction in actively driving scientific research and innovation to support the long-term development of Hong Kong Park in the Loop in Northern Metropolis,” Professor Lee added. “CityUHK will continue to expand its global network, actively attract top talent, and strengthen cross-regional academic and research collaborations with elite institutions in the Chinese Mainland and overseas, particularly in the 'Belt and Road' regions."
Moving forward, CityUHK remains dedicated to providing premium education and cutting-edge research to solidify its position as a world-leading institution. The University will further deepen interdisciplinary research and industry-academia collaborations, translating ground-breaking scientific discoveries into tangible drivers for social progress and economic development, while contributing further to establishing Hong Kong as an international hub for post-secondary education and a global innovation and technology centre.